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| United States Patent |
6,038,781
|
|
McElroy
, et al.
|
March 21, 2000
|
Method of de-icing an aircraft
Abstract
The assembly includes a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags 43, 44,
45, 46, 47, 48, 56 and 58, each having a rectangular cross section with an
open end for receiving air from various ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62
and 66, and extending vertically to a nozzle end 52. A plurality of first
starboard bags 43 overlap a plurality of second starboard bags 44 in the
horizontal direction and a plurality of first port bags 46 overlap a
plurality of second port bags 47 in the horizontal direction. Also, the
second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are spaced downstream from the first
43 starboard and port 46 bags. The nozzles 52 of the first starboard bags
43 are disposed in a first horizontal V.sub.a. -shape in relationship with
the first port bags 46 to direct the emitting air in the emitting planes
rearwardly and outwardly on each side of the aircraft 10 to move deicing
material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings 12 and 14 and the nozzles
52 of the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are disposed in a second
horizontal V.sub.b -shape with each other to direct the emitting air in
the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly from the aircraft 10 to move
deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings from the first
starboard 43 and port 46 bags. Three third starboard bags 45 are aligned
horizontally with three third port bags 48 and downstream of the second
starboard 44 and port 47 bags. A plurality of starboard 56 and port 58 are
disposed close together for removing deicing material from the horizontal
stabilizer of the aircraft.
| Inventors:
|
McElroy; Timothy Patrick (Glendale, AZ);
McElroy; Christopher Patrick (Glendale, AZ);
McElroy; Lucian G. (Carefree, AZ)
|
| Assignee:
|
Proto-Vest, Inc. (Glendale, AZ)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
268959 |
| Filed:
|
March 16, 1999 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
34/380; 34/442 |
| Intern'l Class: |
F26B 007/00 |
| Field of Search: |
34/380,413,427,442,210,218,221,222,229,230,232,666
15/312.2,316.1,405
244/134 R,134 C,130
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 3600224 | Aug., 1971 | Stilwell | 134/6.
|
| 3612075 | Oct., 1971 | Cook | 134/99.
|
| 4161801 | Jul., 1979 | Day et al. | 15/316.
|
| 4378755 | Apr., 1983 | Magnusson et al. | 118/684.
|
| 4418442 | Dec., 1983 | Day et al. | 15/312.
|
| 5104068 | Apr., 1992 | Krilla et al. | 244/134.
|
| 5114100 | May., 1992 | Rudolph et al. | 244/134.
|
| 5553346 | Sep., 1996 | McElroy et al. | 15/316.
|
Primary Examiner: Gravini; Stephen
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Howard & Howard
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/025,061, filed
Feb. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,324.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for removing deicing materials from an aircraft (10) having
wings (12 and 14) and a horizontal stabilizer (16) using a plurality of
flexible and inflatable bags each having a generally rectangular cross
section defined by front and rear panels and opposite sides extending
between a first end for receiving air and a second end having a nozzle
extending between the sides of the bag for emitting air in an emitting
plane, said method comprising the steps of:
disposing a first starboard bag (43) vertically on the starboard side of
the aircraft (10) with the nozzle thereof extending horizontally,
disposing a first port bag (46) vertically on the port side of the aircraft
(10) with the nozzle thereof extending horizontally,
supplying air under pressure to the first end of the starboard bag (43) to
inflate the starboard bag (43) to a stiff position with the nozzle thereof
engaging the starboard wing (12) of the aircraft (10), and
supplying air under pressure to the first end of the port bag (46) to
inflate the port bag (46) to a stiff position with the nozzle thereof
engaging the port wing (14) of the aircraft (10),
said method characterized by disposing the nozzles of the first starboard
(43) and port (46) bags in a first horizontal V.sub.a -shape with each
other to direct the emitting air in said emitting planes rearwardly and
outwardly on each side of the aircraft (10) to move deicing material
outwardly and rearwardly over the wings (12 and 14) of the aircraft (10).
2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including disposing a second starboard
bag (44) vertically on the starboard side of the aircraft (10) with the
nozzle thereof extending horizontally, disposing a second port bag (47)
vertically on the port side of the aircraft (10) with the nozzle thereof
extending horizontally, spacing the second starboard (44) and port (47)
bags spaced horizontally on either side of the aircraft (10) farther apart
than the first starboard (43) and port (46) bags are spaced horizontally
apart on either side of the aircraft (10).
3. A method as set forth in claim 2 further defined as disposing the
nozzles of the second starboard (44) and port (47) bags in a second
horizontal V.sub.b -shape with each other to direct the emitting air in
the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly from the aircraft (10) to
move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings (12 and 14)
of the aircraft (10) from the first starboard (43) and port (46) bags.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3 further defined as disposing the legs
of the second horizontal V-shape at internal angle equal to the internal
angle between the legs of the first horizontal V-shape.
5. A method for removing deicing materials from an aircraft (10) having
swept-back wings (12 and 14) and a horizontal stabilizer (16) extending
laterally from the longitudinal axis of the aircraft (10) fuselage by
using a plurality of nozzles emitting air in an emitting plane from each
nozzle, said method comprising the steps of:
emitting air from a first starboard nozzle in an emitting plane directed
outwardly and rearwardly at a first horizontal plow angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of the aircraft (10) to move deicing material over the
starboard wing (12) generally in the direction of the swept-back starboard
wing (12) of the aircraft (10), and
emitting air from a first port nozzle in an emitting plane directed
outwardly and rearwardly at a first horizontal plow angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of the aircraft (10) to move deicing material over the
port wing (14) generally in the direction of the swept-back port wing (14)
of the aircraft (10).
6. A method as set forth in claim 5 including the steps of emitting air
from a second starboard nozzle in an emitting plane disposed horizontally
outwardly of and in overlapping relationship to the emitting plane of the
first starboard nozzle to direct air outwardly and rearwardly at a second
horizontal plow angle different to continue the movement of the deicing
material over the starboard wing (12) generally in the direction of the
swept-back starboard wing (12) of the aircraft (10) and emitting air from
a second port nozzle in an emitting plane disposed horizontally outwardly
of and in overlapping relationship to the emitting plane of the first port
nozzle to direct air outwardly and rearwardly at a second horizontal plow
angle to continue the movement of the deicing material over the starboard
wing (12) generally in the direction of the swept-back port wing (14) of
the aircraft (10).
7. A method as set forth in claim 6 further defined as disposing the second
plow angle equally to the first plow angle.
Description
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to an air blower assembly for removing
deicing materials from the airfoil surfaces of an aircraft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The deicing of aircraft as a procedure during certain conditions has become
a routine compliance with regulations. However, this procedure normally
comprises of applying a liquid to the airfoil surfaces but without removal
of the deicing material from the surfaces before departure of the
aircraft.
There are prior art systems for cleaning aircraft as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
3,600,224 to Stillwell. There are also various prior art systems known to
the prior art for removing water from automobiles in a car wash as shown
in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,161,801; 4,418,442 and 5,553,346; all of which name
the co-inventor, Lucian G. McElroy, herein as an inventor.
However, none of these systems are suitable for removing deicing materials
from the airfoil surfaces of an aircraft because of the shape of the
aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The invention provides a blower assembly has a centerline for removing
deicing materials from an aircraft having wings and a horizontal
stabilizer as the aircraft is disposed on the centerline. The assembly
comprises a starboard plenum system for supplying air tinder pressure to
the starboard side of the centerline and a port plenum system for
supplying air under pressure to the port side of the centerline. A
plurality of flexible and inflatable bags each have a first end in
communication with one of the plenum systems for receiving air and
extending to a second end. Each of the bags is of generally rectangular
cross section with front and rear panels on either side of a central plane
and extending between opposite sides with the front and rear panels and
the sides extending between the first and second ends. The second end of
the bag has an elongated opening defining a nozzle extending across the
rectangular cross section between the sides of the bag for emitting air in
an emitting plane disposed at an angle of less than 180.degree. to the
central plane of the bag. The bags include a first starboard bag depending
vertically from the starboard plenum system with the nozzle thereof
extending horizontally and a first port bag depending vertically from the
port plenum system with the nozzle thereof extending horizontally. The
assembly is characterized by the nozzles of the first starboard and port
bags being disposed in a first horizontal V.sub.a -shape with each other
to direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly
on each side of the centerline to move deicing material outwardly and
rearwardly over the wings of an aircraft.
Accordingly, the invention provides a method comprising the steps of
emitting air from a first starboard nozzle in an emitting plane directed
outwardly and rearwardly at a first horizontal plow angle relative to the
longitudinal axis of the aircraft to move deicing material over the
starboard wing generally in the direction of the swept-back starboard wing
of the aircraft and emitting air from a first port nozzle in an emitting
plane directed outwardly and rearwardly at a first horizontal plow angle
relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft to move deicing material
over the port wing generally in the direction of the swept-back port wing
of the aircraft.
Therefore, the subject invention is particularly suited for removal of
deicing materials from the airfoil surfaces of an aircraft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aircraft in the blower assembly of the subject
invention;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the aircraft and blower assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the port wing and port blower assembly;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the most rearward blower and duct
assembly; and
FIG. 5 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or
corresponding parts throughout the several views, the subject invention
relates to a blower assembly having a centerline c for removing deicing
materials from an aircraft 10 having starboard and port wings 12 and 14
and a horizontal stabilizer 16 as the aircraft 10 is disposed on the
centerline c.
The assembly includes a starboard plenum system for supplying air under
pressure to the starboard side of the centerline c and comprising a
plurality blowers 18, 20, and 22 associated with a plurality of ducts 30,
32, and 34, respectively. Each of the starboard ducts 30, 32, and 34
extend in a cantilevered fashion from the associated blower 18, 20, or 22
and are spaced along the centerline c. The assembly also includes a port
plenum system for supplying air under pressure to the port side of the
centerline c and comprising a plurality blowers 24, 26, and 28 associated
with a plurality of ducts 36, 38 and 40, respectively. Each of the port
ducts 36, 38 and 40 extend in a cantilevered fashion from the associated
blower 24, 26, or 28 and are spaced along the centerline c. Each of the
ducts is circular in cross section and extends horizontally from its
associated blower and each blower is mounted on a platform 42 having steps
for vertical access.
The assembly includes a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags 43, 44,
45, 46, 47, and 48. The bags may be of the type illustrated in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,418,442 to Day et al. or U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,346 to McElroy. Each
bag has a first or upper end in communication with one of the plenum
systems for receiving air and extends to a second or nozzle end. The
tipper end of each bag is open and wraps around the duct to receive air
from an opening 50, the bag attachment being by the wrap and a fastener, a
clamp or a frame. Each of the bags 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 48 is of
generally rectangular cross section with front and rear panels on either
side of a central plane and extends between opposite sides, the front and
rear panels and the sides extend between the first and second ends. The
second or nozzle end of the bag has an elongated opening defining a nozzle
52 extending across the rectangular cross section between the sides of the
bag for emitting air in an emitting plane disposed at an angle of less
than 180.degree. to the central plane of the bag. Each bag 43, 44, 45, 46,
47, and 48 includes a plurality of spaced gussets 54 extending from top to
bottom to keep the bag from ballooning. Additional shorter gussets are
disposed in the nozzle of each nozzle; however, the nozzles may be molded
of rigid plastic.
A plurality of three first starboard bags 43 depend vertically from the
duct 30 of the starboard plenum system with the nozzle 52 thereof
extending horizontally and a plurality of three first port bags 46 depend
vertically from the duct 36 of the port plenum system with the nozzles
thereof extending horizontally. The assembly is characterized by the
nozzles 52 of the first starboard bags 43 being disposed in a first
horizontal V.sub.a. -shape in relationship with the first port bags 46 to
direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly on
each side of the centerline c to move deicing material outwardly and
rearwardly over the wings 12 and 14 of the aircraft 10.
A plurality of three second starboard bags 44 depend vertically from the
duct 32 of the starboard plenum system with the nozzles 52 thereof
extending horizontally and a plurality of three second port bags 47 depend
vertically from the duct 38 of the port plenum system with the nozzle
thereof extending horizontally. The second starboard bags 44 and the
second port bags 47 are spaced horizontally on the respective starboard
and port sides of the centerline c farther apart than the first starboard
43 and port 46 bags are spaced horizontally apart on either side of the
centerline c. However, the first starboard bags 43 overlap the second
starboard bags 44 in the horizontal direction transverse to the centerline
c and the first port bags 46 overlap the second port bags 47 in the
horizontal direction transverse to the centerline c. Also, the second
starboard 44 and port 47 bags are spaced downstream along the centerline c
from the first 43 starboard and port 46 bags.
The nozzles 52 of the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags are disposed in
a second horizontal V.sub.b -shape with each other to direct the emitting
air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly from the centerline c
to move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the wings of the
aircraft 10 from the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags. In other words,
the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags continue the movement of the
material first moved by the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags, as well
as additional deicing material originating on the wings outside the first
starboard 43 and port 46 bags, along the swept back axes of the respective
wings. More specifically, the internal angle V.sub.b between the legs of
the second horizontal V.sub.b -shape is equal to the internal angle
V.sub.a. between the legs of the first horizontal V.sub.a -shape.
The assembly also includes three third starboard bags 45 depending
vertically from the duct 34 of the starboard plenum system with the
nozzles 52 thereof extending horizontally and three third port bags 48
depending vertically from the duct 40 of the port plenum system with the
nozzles 52 thereof extending horizontally. The nozzles 52 of the third
starboard 44 and port bags 47 are disposed parallel to each other to
direct the emitting air in the emitting planes totally rearwardly on each
side of and parallel to the centerline c to move deicing material
rearwardly over the wings of the aircraft 10 and parallel to the
centerline c of the aircraft. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the
nozzles 52 of the third starboard 44 and port bags 47 are aligned with
each other, i.e., are in the same plane, which is perpendicular to the
centerline c. Furthermore, the third starboard 44 and port bags 47 are
spaced downstream along the centerline c from the second starboard 44 and
port 47 bags.
The assembly also includes a tail plenum system and the plurality of bags
includes a plurality of starboard tail bags 56 and a plurality of port
tail bags 58 hanging vertically from the tail plenum system. The tail
plenum system includes a starboard blower 60 and duct 62 and a port blower
64 and duct 66. The tail bags 56 and 58 are disposed closer to the
centerline c than the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags and are aligned
with one transversely to the centerline c. In fact, the starboard tail
bags 56 are separated from the port tail bags 58 only sufficiently for the
rudder of the aircraft to pass therebetween. The nozzles of the tail bags
are at a higher elevation than the remaining bags for engaging the higher
horizontal stabilizer.
As alluded to above, the starboard plenum system includes a separate plenum
duct for each of the first 43, second 44 and third 45 starboard bags and
the port plenum system includes a separate plenum duct for each of the
first 46, second 47 and third 48 port bags and the tail plenum system
includes a separate duct for each of the starboard 56 and port 58 tail
bags. In order to maintain the ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62 and 66
over and above the aircraft, the assembly includes a suspension system for
supporting each of the ducts 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 62 and 66. The
suspension system comprises a roof-like framework 68 extending up and over
the aircraft. Suspension cables 70 depend from the framework and are
attached to the various ducts to support each of ducts in a cantilevered
and horizontal disposition.
The invention, therefore, also includes a method for removing deicing
materials from an aircraft 10 having wings and a horizontal stabilizer 16
by using a plurality of flexible and inflatable bags each having a
generally rectangular cross section defined by front and rear panels and
opposite sides extending between a first end for receiving air and a
second end having a nozzle 52 extending between the sides of the bag for
emitting air in an emitting plane wherein the method comprises the steps
of disposing a first starboard bag 43 vertically on the starboard side of
the aircraft 10 with the nozzle 52 thereof extending horizontally,
disposing a first port bag 46 vertically on the port side of the aircraft
10 with the nozzle 52 thereof extending horizontally, supplying air under
pressure to the first end of the starboard bag 43 to inflate the starboard
bag to a stiff position with the nozzle 52 thereof engaging the starboard
wing of the aircraft 10, supplying air under pressure to the first end of
the port bag 46 to inflate the port bag 46 to a stiff position with the
nozzle 52 thereof engaging the port wing of the aircraft 10, and
characterized by disposing the nozzles 52 of the first starboard 43 and
port 46 bags in a first horizontal V.sub.a. -shape with each other to
direct the emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly on
each side of the aircraft 10 to move deicing material outwardly and
rearwardly over the wings of the aircraft 10. The method may be further
implemented by disposing a second starboard bag 44 vertically on the
starboard side of the aircraft 10 with the nozzle 52 thereof extending
horizontally, disposing a second port bag 47 vertically on the port side
of the aircraft 10 with the nozzle 52 thereof extending horizontally,
spacing the second starboard 44 and port 47 bags spaced horizontally on
either side of the aircraft 10 farther apart than the first starboard 43
and port 46 bags are spaced horizontally apart on either side of the
aircraft 10. In yet a more limited sense, the method may be further
defined as disposing the nozzles 52 of the second starboard 44 and port 47
bags in a second horizontal V.sub.b -shape with each other to direct the
emitting air in the emitting planes rearwardly and outwardly from the
aircraft 10 to move deicing material outwardly and rearwardly over the
wings of the aircraft 10 from the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags. And
the legs of the second horizontal V.sub.b -shape are disposed at an angle
equal to the internal angle between the legs of the first horizontal
V.sub.a. -shape.
As will be appreciated, the method may be expressed broadly as emitting air
from a first starboard nozzle 52 in an emitting plane directed outwardly
and rearwardly at a first horizontal plow angle (V.sub.a. /2) relative to
the longitudinal axis of the aircraft 10 to move deicing material over the
starboard wing generally in the direction of the swept-back starboard wing
12 of the aircraft 10 and emitting air from a first port nozzle 52 in an
emitting plane directed outwardly and rearwardly at the first horizontal
plow angle (V.sub.a. /2) relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft
10 to move deicing material over the port wing generally in the direction
of the swept-back back port wing of the aircraft 10. In other words, the
plow angle for each side of the aircraft is one half the included angle
V.sub.a between the first starboard 43 and port 46 bags. The method may be
enhanced by emitting air from a second starboard nozzle in an emitting
plane disposed horizontally outwardly of and in overlapping relationship
to the emitting plane of the first starboard nozzle to direct air
outwardly and rearwardly at a second horizontal plow angle to continue the
movement of the deicing material over the starboard wing generally in the
direction of the swept-back starboard wing of the aircraft 10 and emitting
air from a second port nozzle in an emitting plane disposed horizontally
outwardly of and in overlapping relationship to the emitting plane of the
first port nozzle to direct air outwardly and rearwardly at a second
horizontal plow angle (V.sub.b /2) to continue the movement of the deicing
material over the starboard wing generally in the direction of the
swept-back port wing of the aircraft 10. The method may be specifically
defined as disposing the second plow angle (V.sub.b /2) equally outwardly
as the first plow angle (V.sub.a. /2).
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be
understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in
the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be
understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference
numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting,
the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
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